The world's most sought-after jockey has a ride in all eight races on the
£16.5 million Dubai World Cup card, the richest race meeting on the planet

It is no accident that major race meetings are dominated by the best jockeys. Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, Longchamp or Meydan, it makes no difference. The big names regularly come to the top and Saturday’s Dubai World Cup night should prove no exception.

Currently, the most popular jockey in international racing is Ryan Moore and the fact that he has been snapped up for a full book of eight rides on the $27 million (£16.25m) card, which is easily the richest on the planet, is further evidence of the demand for his skills.

Moore, 30, has become everybody’s go-to rider, worldwide. “He is the ultimate hired gun,” was how one racing veteran explained it to me. Moore’s eight rides are provided by six different stables, located in Britain, Ireland and Japan. An international portfolio if ever there was one.

As dawn breaks over Dubai, floodlights from the 1,000-metre grandstand illuminate the inside synthetic track as the visiting stars stretch their legs in final preparation for the big night. For some, the results will be life-changing. Last year, Team Valor, headed by American Barry Irwin, collected a cheque for $6 million (£3.6m) after Animal Kingdom’s memorable World Cup triumph.

Something to think about as Moore brings Mull Of Killough out on to the exercise track. The eight-year-old has won eight from 31 starts, and in the past year has run in Singapore, Chicago, Melbourne and, now, Dubai. Jane Chapple-Hyam, his trainer, cannot believe her luck that she has managed to get Moore to ride her stable star in the Godolphin Mile.

Only two of Moore’s mounts will challenge for favouritism, but every one of them will have a chance of getting into the frame and earn huge prize money. In a quiet moment, he reflects on the groundwork necessary to be effective at such an important meeting. “It’s not like going to Brighton on a wet Wednesday,” he says with a half-chuckle. “A lot of planning and thinking goes into it, at least a couple of months preparation for a meeting such as this. So, it’s nice when it all comes off,” the jockey says.

Moore has won a UAE Derby and the Dubai Duty Free, and his intention is to improve on that.

He disagrees with the contention that he has the best book of rides of any jockey to have ridden at the Dubai World Cup meeting in recent years. “I think I had a better book myself three years ago [2011], when Presvis won. I think most of my rides have got a bit to do, but hopefully, they all run their races. It’s really a matter of who shows up on the night.”

Sir Michael Stoute, with all his renowned patience, saddles four-year-old Hillstar, who will be having his first start on an all-weather track in the World Cup. Moore’s view is that it is a very open race, and he is happy with a stalls draw of No 7.

“Meydan [on the Tapeta] is a tight track to ride and with 16 runners, it could be a very tactical race,” he points out. “The first bend comes up quick and if you go deep you haven’t got much chance. I think you can make a case for most of the runners to be involved in some way.

“I have been third the past two years, on Planteur and I think Hillstar is a good ride. Last year, he was a much improved horse as the season progressed.”

“Dank [Dubai Duty Free) did remarkably well last year, winning at The Curragh, Arlington and Santa Anita, but this is tougher than she has encountered before and I think she has The Fugue to beat.”

Gentledonna, his Japan Cup winner, is another of his good chances [Dubai Sheema Classic], but he is quick to acknowledge the great ability of Magician, who he rode to win the Breeders’ Cup Turf in 2013. Both horses are brilliant, but this time Joseph O’Brien is back aboard Magician.

“You are always looking forward to this time of the year. The Guineas is still several weeks away, so our Classic horses still have time. There have been no hold-ups in Newmarket because of weather.”

Life in the month ahead sounds rosy for racing’s most sought-after jockey.